(Updated) Microsoft Purview: Migration tool in Unified Catalog to migrate classic glossary terms

(Updated) Microsoft Purview: Migration tool in Unified Catalog to migrate classic glossary terms

Microsoft Purview's built-in migration tool for moving classic glossary terms to Unified Catalog rollout is paused. Data Governance Admins can migrate terms, templates, and relationships or switch to Unified Catalog terms, making classic terms read-only. Migration planning and documentation will be provided when available.

2026-07-09T22:26:12.960Z

Updated message,New feature,User impact,Admin impact

<p>Updated July 9, 2026: We have paused rollout of this feature at this time. We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed. We apologize for any inconvenience.&nbsp;</p><p><b>[Introduction]</b></p><p>Data Governance Admins and Data Stewards can use a <b>built‑in migration tool</b> in <i>Microsoft Purview Unified Catalog</i> to migrate classic glossary terms, associated term templates, and asset and column relationships into Unified Catalog. After migration, glossary terms can be managed in <i>Unified Catalog</i> and associated with business concepts and data assets.</p><p>This message is associated with <b>Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&amp;searchterms=558683" target="_blank">558683</a></b>.</p><p><b>[When this will happen]</b></p><ul><li><b>Public Preview: </b>We will begin rolling out in <b>late April 2026</b> and expect to complete by <b>late April 2026</b>.</li><li><b>General Availability (Worldwide): </b>We will communicate via Message center when we are ready to proceed.</li></ul><p><b>[How this affects your organization]</b></p><p><i>Who is affected</i></p><ul><li>Data Governance Admins</li><li>Data Stewards</li><li>Organizations using classic glossary terms in <i>Microsoft Purview, </i>along with Unified Catalog</li></ul><p><i>What will happen</i></p><ul><li>Admins can choose to use the built‑in migration tool to migrate classic glossary terms to Unified Catalog.</li><li>Migration includes:<ul><li>Classic glossary terms</li><li>Associated term templates</li><li>Asset and column relationships</li></ul></li><li>Admins who do not need migration can skip the process and use glossary terms only in <i>Unified Catalog</i>.</li><li>In both cases, classic glossary terms will become <b>read‑only</b>.</li><li>After migration or switching, Unified Catalog glossary terms can be used to curate assets and columns.</li></ul><p><img src="https://cxcs.microsoft.net/static/public/messagecenter/neutral/0add68ed-0a35-4417-8d01-53919b3f82dc/6850ce419d4deabd90873da84cd0b47cbe087a7b.png" style="width: 400px;" alt="user settings"></p><p></p><p><img src="https://cxcs.microsoft.net/static/public/messagecenter/neutral/b94a12df-79d3-49e1-b9b6-30c8866eeceb/9563b5f2109a788aeb0d822ef31e8b0c6bd13ca8.png" style="width: 400px;" alt="user settings"></p><p><b>[What you can do to prepare]</b></p><ul><li>Determine whether your organization uses classic glossary terms.</li><li>Decide whether to:<ul><li>Migrate classic glossary terms to Unified Catalog, or</li><li>Abandon classic glossary terms and use Unified Catalog glossary terms only.</li></ul></li><li>If you choose migration:<ul><li>Review the detailed migration documentation.</li><li>Plan and execute the migration when your organization is ready for all required steps.</li></ul></li></ul><p>Links to detailed migration documentation will be added to the <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/purview/unified-catalog-glossary-terms" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: sans-serif; font-weight: 400;">Unified Catalog glossary terms overview documentation</a> when the feature enters public preview.</p><p><b>[Compliance considerations]</b></p><table class="table table-bordered"><tbody><tr><td><b>Question</b></td><td><b>Answer</b></td></tr><tr><td>Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed?</td><td>Yes. Classic glossary terms, associated term templates, and asset and column relationships may be migrated and stored in <i>Microsoft Purview Unified Catalog </i>instead of the classic glossary location.</td></tr><tr><td>Does the change include an admin control?</td><td>Yes. Data Governance Admins choose whether to migrate classic glossary terms using the built‑in migration tool or skip migration and switch to Unified Catalog glossary terms.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b></b></p>